The Conquest of Reason

His lab coat fluttered like a storm of paper, flowing through the halls of carven stone. Intricate runes etched upon the black throne gleamed in purple light, welcoming its new ruler. "The conquest of nature is to be achieved through number and measure," the man spoke, his dark grey eyes set upon the beautiful empress kneeling before him. " The demon empress stay silent, for she was not told to speak. She stay silent, for she was in the presence of her new emperor. She stay silent, for she was a mere spoils of war ready for the taking... "Raise your head Ms. Moonhymn, I do not need something as ridiculous as 'worship'" the man waved his hand. "You have a lot to learn before I appoint you to be the CEO." (---) "It's not happiness, it's NEVER about your people's happiness, princess," the man looms before her, the cell door wide open, a shattered lock lie beneath his feet, his lab coat stained with the blood of her captors. Melissa closed her eyes, arms and legs chained to the wall, a ragged cloth draped over her broken and used body. "Then tell me..." a single tear trickled down her face. "What am I supposed to do..." her voice breaks. "I don't know what to do... I don't know..." The princess fell into his embrace the moment she was set free. She cried into his shoulder, gripping his coat tight as if she's afraid of seeing him go. She whispered words of gratitude and apology one after another, clinging to him like a pet to their owner. "You cannot measure happiness, no matter what you do," the man drones on, his cold and stern voice brought nothing but comfort in her heart. "I can teach you what you need to know, but promise me, you will listen to me, understand?" The princess nodded breathlessly in response. "Very good, now let's get out of here, your kingdom's GDP is plummeting, we have to fix that asap,"